Another round of protests and violence got underway Monday, May 28, n Nicaragua after students in the Central American aimed to take over the Engineering university.

A riot police officer fires a weapon during clashes with students taking part in a protest in Managua on May 28, 2018. (AFP)

The demonstrators targeted the pro-government offices of Radio Ya. A thuggish response to weeks of protests has eroded carefully constructed pillars of support in the Church, military and business world for Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, emboldening calls for the ouster of the former Marxist guerrilla who has dominated politics for decades.

More than a month after changes to the Central American nation's social security system triggered student-led protests, indignation at a brutal crackdown in which at least 77 people have been killed and over 800 wounded has morphed into a daily challenge to Ortega's rule.

A demonstrator wearing a mask points homemade mortar during a protest in Masaya, Nicaragua on May 28, 2018. (AFP)

Protesters demand he step down, while regional diplomatic body the Organization of American States said last week he should hold early elections. He has as yet shown no sign of heeding that call, which could end one of the longest standing leftist governments in Latin America, a staunch ally for socialist Venezuela.